known

When we are hurting, usually it is only those who have experienced a similar hurt who are most able to help us. They are the ones who can begin to know us; to know how we feel.

This is one reason why it is so wonderful that Jesus came as Immanuel, God with us. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:15,16.

Similarly, this is also how we are able to comfort others. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3,4.

And maybe in the same way, if we turn this around, it was Paul's desire to truly know Jesus that prompted this prayer.... "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." Philippians 3:10,11.